The Golden Asse eBook

Dame you have chosen (without my counsell) a young
man to your lover, who as me seemeth, is dull, fearefull,
without any grace, and dastard-like coucheth at the
frowning looke of your odious husband, whereby you
have no delight nor pleasure with him: how farre
better is the young man Philesiterus who is comely,
beautifull, in the flower of his youth, liberall,
courteous, valiant and stout against the diligent
pries and watches of your husband, whereby to embrace
the worthiest dames of this country, and worthy to
weare a crowne of gold, for one part that he played
to one that was jealous over his wife. Hearken
how it was and then judge the diversity of these two
Lovers: Know you not one Barbarus a Senator of
our towne, whom the vulgar people call likewise Scorpion
for his severity of manners? This Barbarus had
a gentlewoman to his wife, whom he caused daily to
be enclosed within his house, with diligent custody.
Then the Bakers wife said, I know her very well, for
we two dwelleth together in one house: Then you
know (quoth the old woman) the whole tale of Philesiterus?
No verily (said she) but I greatly desire to know
it: therefore I pray you mother tell me the whole
story. By and by the old woman which knew well
to babble, began to tell as followeth.

THE FORTY-FIRST CHAPTER

How Barbarus being jealous over his wife, commanded
that shee should be kept close in his house, and what
happened.

You shall understand that on a day this Barbarus preparing
himselfe to ride abroad, and willing to keepe the
chastity of his wife (whom he so well loved) alone
to himselfe, called his man Myrmex (whose faith he
had tryed and proved in many things) and secretly committed
to him the custody of his wife, willing him that he
should threaten, that if any man did but touch her
with his finger as he passed by, he would not onely
put him in prison, and bind him hand and foote, but
also cause him to be put to death, or else to be famished
for lacke of sustenance, which words he confirmed
by an oath of all the Gods in heaven, and so departed
away: When Barbarus was gone, Myrmex being greatly
astonied of his masters threatnings, would not suffer
his mistresse to goe abroad, but as she sate all day
a Spinning, he was so carefull that he sate by her;
when night came he went with her to the baines, holding
her by the garment, so faithfull he was to fulfill
the commandement of his master: Howbeit the beauty
of this matron could not be hidden from the burning
eyes of Philesiterus, who considering her great chastity
and how she was diligently kept by Myrmex, thought
it impossible to have his purpose, yet (indeavouring
by all kind of meanes to enterprise the matter, and
remembring the fragility of man, that might be intised
and corrupted with money, since as by gold the adamant
gates may be opened) on a day, when he found Myrmex
alone, he discovered his love, desiring him to shew
his favour, (otherwise he should certainly dye) with